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Newsstand: Transfer portal guard from Duke hears from Notre Dame women's basketball

IMG_9992by:Tyler Horka•04/17/25•

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Duke Blue Devils guard Oluchi Okananwa (5) attacks the ball during the second quarter against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at First Horizon Coliseum. (Photo by Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images)

Notre Dame women’s basketball has picked up a pair of transfer portal signee forwards, but the Fighting Irish could stand to get some help in the backcourt, too. Head coach Niele Ivey and Co. is trying for it.

According to Talia Goodman of On3, the Irish have reached out to former Duke guard Oluchi Okananwa. Of course, they’re not the only ones to have done so. Here’s the entire list…

UConn
Louisville
UCLA
South Carolina
Tennessee

Maryland
Notre Dame
NC State
Ole Miss
Mississippi State
North Carolina

Okananwa is a 5-10 rising junior from Boston. She appeared in 71 games for the Blue Devils in her first two collegiate seasons without making any starts. Her presence off the bench was impressive in Durham, though, averaging 9.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a freshman and 10.1 points and 5.3 assists per game as a sophomore.

Okananwa had a solid showing in the NCAA Tournament. She averaged 9.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game during Duke’s run to the Elite Eight. She had 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 47-38 bloodbath victory over rival North Carolina in the Sweet 16.

In two games against Notre Dame this past season, Okananwa scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in a 64-49 loss and scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in a 61-56 victory. That was the middle game of an ACC Tournament in which Okananwa averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was named tourney MVP.

Notre Dame tweets of the day

Is it time for the Fighting Irish to Start The Carr?

Jeremiyah Love will remain primarily a running back, it seems.

Academics will always be of the utmost priority at Notre Dame.

Fighting Irish quote of the day

“Notre Dame has made a significant impact on my decision. Obviously, a great impact. It wasn’t negative. I would say they’re definitely making their mark when it comes to my commitment.” 

— Four-star running back De-Zephen Walker on his recruitment

Blue & Gold headlines of the day

• Four-star wide receiver from the West visiting Notre Dame for the first time Thursday
• Irish sophomore safety Kennedy Urlacher to enter NCAA transfer portal
• Irish long snapper Rino Monteforte enters NCAA transfer portal

• Notre Dame offers, quickly becomes contender for 2026 DL David Schwerzel
• ‘Enhance the way we play’: How Chris Ash put his stamp on Irish defense
• How DL target Richie Flanigan’s Notre Dame visit highlights his recruitment beyond family legacy

• What Kennedy Urlacher entering the transfer portal means for Fighting Irish football
• Why Notre Dame can ‘Moneyball’ defensive tackle situation in 2025
• Lucky Charms: Notre Dame recruiting notes from the road in Texas

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